Hard workers from charities and voluntary groups across the north-east have been commended for their dedication to improving the lives of others.
The Celebrate Aberdeen Awards were held on Saturday evening at P&J Live, with more than 500 people turning out to show their appreciation for the city’s third sector.
The ceremony first took place last year as a spin-off from the Celebrate Aberdeen parade, an annual march down Union Street which highlights the work of thousands of organisations.
After intense deliberations, the Celebrate Aberdeen Awards judges were able to whittle the list of nominees down to just 34 individuals and groups, with 11 awards handed out.
The Archie Foundation picked up Large Charity of the Year for the second time running, while Inspire picked up gongs for best team and best event, for its Happily Never After pantomime.
Sue Ryder’s Dee View Court appeal – which is aiming to raise £3.9 million for an expansion of its Kincorth neurological care centre – won best campaign, while Kirsten Farquhar from Friends of the Neuro Ward was named best volunteer and Sunrise Partnership picked up best organisation.
A posthumous Heart of the Community award was won by Norma Thomson, a former councillor who stepped in to help save a closure-threatened New Deer bank in 2006.
Celebrate Aberdeen founder Morven Mackenzie said: “While we presented 11 awards on the night, every single finalist was a winner in our eyes.
“It was both humbling and inspiring to hear their stories and to see the positive impact everything they do has on thousands of other people.”
She added: “The Celebrate Aberdeen Parade was launched in 2011 to showcase and thank all of the city’s third sector organisations.
“This year’s parade involved more than 130 organisations and around 4,000 marchers.
“Introducing an awards event was the natural next step and the people in the room made it a memorable night for everyone.”
The full list of winners:
- Young Supporter Of The Year – Emily Findlay
- Staff Member Of The Year – Suz Strachan, SensationALL
- Fundraiser Of The Year – Ahphun Allan Rossiter
- Corporate Partnership Of The Year – Baird Family Hospital and Aberdeen Sands
- Campaign Of The Year – Dee View Appeal, Sue Ryder
- Event Of The Year – Happily Never After Pantomime, Inspire
- Volunteer Of The Year – Kirsten Farquhar, Friends of the Neuro Ward
- Small Organisation Of The Year – Sunrise Partnership
- Large Organisation Of The Year – The Archie Foundation
- Heart Of The Community – Norma Thomson
- Team Of The Year – Inspire’s Development Team
